Gerontology Major, BA

Program Description

The gerontology program is an Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) Program of Merit. Gerontology is the multi-disciplinary study of the aging processes (biological, psychological, and sociological), and of individuals as they age from middle adulthood through later adulthood. It includes the study of mental, physical and social changes in older adults as they age, and the impact of social programs and social policies on their well-being. Since older adults, especially those 85 years of age and above, constitute the fastest growing segment of the population; the focus of gerontologists has been on the acquisition of specialized knowledge and skills to meet the needs of this rapidly expanding population.

Program Goals

The gerontology program is a multidisciplinary, four-year curriculum designated as a Program of Merit by the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education. The program focuses on teaching students to think analytically, use resources, and make informed decisions about aging issues. Human service skills, an integral part of the program, are intended to assist the student in obtaining jobs in a variety of aging-related settings. The purpose of the gerontology program is two-fold. First, it offers educational opportunities to students throughout the university to gain information, knowledge and skills relevant to living and working in an aging society. Second, the program offers a broad-based, multidisciplinary course of study that prepares students for beginning careers in the field of aging and for graduate study in aging-related fields.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the gerontology program, the students should possess the following:

An understanding of the societal issues, concerns, and challenges brought about by an aging society;

Knowledge of the social and cultural contexts in which aging occurs;

An understanding of the physical, psychological, and social process of aging;

An understanding of the characteristics of older persons and the issues and concerns associated with differing experiences of aging;

The ability to identify and utilize community resources and support systems for older persons and their families; and

Skills in planning and implementing aging programs and services.

Major Requirements

The major requires 49 semester hours (SH) of courses, with 15 SH in pre-requisite courses taken among the GE core in preparation of upper level major courses. Of these, 49 SHs in the major area include 10 SHs in foundational gerontology courses which includes a field practicums experience; 15 SHs in breadth courses that will allow exposure to diverse areas in the field of aging; 15 SHs in depth courses that allow majors to more deeply demonstrate expertise in the field of aging and a six credit hour internship; 9 SHs in specific discipline content elective courses related to an area of interest and selected in consultation with a student’s faculty advisor. Electives must be approved by the major faculty advisor of record.

As a Program of Merit (POM), students must have at least 60 documented contact hours through an assigned practicum experience with older persons prior to the beginning of the junior year; a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in major courses; with a grade C- or better in all required upper division courses.